Oakland North Now 7.22.09
on July 22, 2009
The city of Oakland got a $7 million boost from yesterday’s Special Election. Voters approved increasing the business tax of pot clubs in Oakland, and they also said yes to raising hotel tax by 3 points to fund the zoo and the Oakland Museum.
However, even $7 million might not help the city’s dire situation. The bankrupt state of California wants $4.3 billion diverted from the local municipalities, and the state can take as much as $6.4 million from Oakland’s almost empty coffer. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that counties and cities across the state are considering lawsuits against the state.
Fed up with the gloomy news? Go to a basketball tournament of Oakland’s youth and educate yourself about the history of Africans in Mexico. Or you can go to a 50-year old barbershop to vent your misery while getting your hair cut done.
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Oakland North
Oakland North is an online news service produced by students at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and covering Oakland, California. Our goals are to improve local coverage, innovate with digital media, and listen to you–about the issues that concern you and the reporting you’d like to see in your community. Please send news tips to: oaklandnorthstaff@gmail.com.
